Pets for Patriots

Pets for Patriots, a program at Baltimore Humane Society to help ease the transition of veterans and service members is also helping to end animal homelessness.

Written by Baltimore Humane Society | Photo above by Julie Clegg

Natty Beau, Governor, Teddy Bear, and Abby have all become pivotal figures in the lives of some local servicemen, giving them unconditional friendship and love. They found each other through a rare program called Pets for Patriots dedicated to serving two often overlooked populations needing support when establishing new lives. Baltimore Humane Society has partnered with Pets for Patriots, a not-for-profit that connects our country's loyal service men and women with last-chance shelter pets like Natty Beau, Governor, Teddy Bear, and Abby.

Pets for Patriots’ mission is to ease the stress of military transitions following deployment return, active to inactive duty, and retirement by the adoption of adult or special needs shelter pets and large dogs. Working with PFP, Baltimore Humane Society provides the most overlooked homeless dogs and cats a second chance at a happy life while giving local veterans, active duty military, and their families the gift of unconditional friendship and love. The end goal -- transform and enrich the lives of our service men and women while at the same time helping save at-risk shelter pets and end animal homelessness in the U.S.

Pets for Patriots and Baltimore Humane Society have also partnered with Perry Hall Animal Hospital and Essex Middle River Veterinary Hospital. Together they are determined to make the joys of pet ownership achievable and affordable by offering:

Free pet adoptions at Baltimore Humane Society to all military (once approved by Pets for Patriots)

20% discount for veterinary care for the life of the pet at Perry Hall Animal Hospital or 10% discount at Essex Middle River Veterinary Hospital to ensure that service members will be able to afford their pets’ medical care

$150 gift card upon proof of eligible adoption with Pets for Patriots to help with food and other essentials

Free membership to Pets for Patriots for all service members. Individuals are welcome to take advantage of the Pets for Patriots program from all United States armed forces and at any stage of their careers.

Individuals must first apply through Pets for Patriots website and provide proof of their military service or honorable discharge. Approval typically takes one to two business days, after which they can visit Baltimore Humane Society for assistance in choosing their new best friend.

“We are thrilled to see our local service members taking advantage of the program,” says Jen Swanson, Baltimore Humane Society Executive Director, “while at the same time giving wonderful homes to our dogs and cats. Everybody wins.”

About Baltimore Humane Society
The Baltimore Humane Society, founded in 1927 by Mrs. Elsie Seeger Barton, is an independent, non-profit, no-kill animal shelter, which offers low-cost veterinary care to the public, and a pet cemetery with grief support services. We receive no operational funding from the local or federal governments, or any national animal welfare organizations. For more information about BHS, and how you can contribute, volunteer, adopt, or foster, please visit www.bmorehumane.org.

About Pets for Patriots
Pets for Patriots, Inc., is a registered 501(c)(3) charity that helps military members honorably adopt adult and at-risk shelter pets. Its mission is to consistently give the gifts of fidelity, joy and companionship to both pet and person. Pets for Patriots is one of the only organizations in the country dedicated to both adult pets and military members. The charity is a proud member of the Army AW2 Wounded Warrior Program national community support network, a national partner of the Real Warriors Campaign and is listed by the National Resource Directory for ill and wounded veterans. Visit www.petsforpatriots.org for more information.